Fracture apparatus



(ModeL) A. J. REMSBERG.

FRAOTURE APPARATUS.

No. 320,286. Patented June 16, 1885.

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ALBERT J. REMSBERG, OF \VARFORDSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

FRACTURE APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Lettels Patent No.320,286, dated June 16, 1885.

Application filed September 18, lei-3. Renewed April 16, 1895. (Model T0 aZZ whom it may cozeaern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT J. REMSBERG, of \Varfordsburg, in the county of Fulton and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements i n Fracture Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in fracture apparatus and it consists, first, in the combination of a suitable standard, which is provided with an arm or support at its upper end, with a suitable swing which is swiveled upon a hook, and to which swing the fracture box or bed is attached; second, in a suitable swing which is swiveled upon a hook, and which is provided with a shaft upon which are placed two ratchetpulleys, both or either one of which pulleys can be made to revolve with the shaft for the purpose of tightening or loosening the cords or ropes attached to the fracture box or bed, all of which will be more fully described hereinafter.

The object of my invention is to provide an apparatus in which a broken or injured leg can be supported in such a manner as to al.- low the patient to move about in the bed, and to get out of the bed without assistance and without the slightest danger of displacing the injured limb in any manner.

Figures 1 and 2 are side elevations of an apparatus embodying my invention, taken from opposite sides.

A represents a suitable standard, which is swiveled or loosely supported at its lower end in the plate or bedpiece B, which is to be secured to the floor. Upon this standard, at any suitable distance above the floor, is loosely placed a brace, G, which is to be secured to the side of the bed-rail for the purpose of securing the standard in an upright position. As this standard passes loosely through this brace and can turn freely in the bed-plate, the standard will revolve without displacing either one of these parts. Secured to this standard, at any suitable distance above the brace O, is a suitable bearing, D, upon which is mounted a pulley, E. This bearing is to be clamped rigidly to the standard, so as to turn with the standard under all circumstances. Over this grooved pulley will be passed a weighted cord, which is to be attached to the injured leg, and which is to exert a constant pull upon the leg, and thus prevent it from being shortened by the contraction of the muscles. Projecting horizontally outward from the upper end of this standard A is a support, F, of any desired length. Caught over this arm or support is the hook G, which can be moved freely back and forth upon the sup port, as the convenience of the patient may dictate. Swivele upon the lower end of this hook is the metallic frame H,which may either be made of the shape here shown or any other that may be preferred. J ournaled in the lower end of this frame is the shaft I, which passes through the two pulleys J, one of which is secured rigidly to the shaft, while the other is placed loosely upon it. To these pulleys will be connected the cords or ropes which support opposite ends of the fracture box or bed L. Upon one end of each of these pulleys is formed a ratchet, N, and with each ratchet engages a suitable spring-pawl, O P. The spring-pawl O engages with the ratchet of the fast pulley for the purposeof preventing this pulley from being caused to turn backward after it has been wound up to any desired point by the weight in the fracture box or bed. The spring 1, which engages with the ratchet on the loose pulley, is secured to an arm, R,which is secured rigidly to the shaft, and which, as the shalt is made to revolve, turns with it. When the shaft is caused to revolve toward the left, by means of a handle on one end both of the pulleys will be made to revolve with it for the purpose of winding up the cords or ropes attached to the fracture box or bed, and thus raise the box or bed upward. \Vhen it is desired to only turn one of the pulleys, the spring whizh engages with the loose pulley will be thrown out of operation by meal s of the lever S, which is secured to the arm, and then the spring will not engage with the ratchet-teeth, and hence the pulley will not be made to revolve with the shaft. A small lever for operating the spring in connection with the fast pulley is used for the purpose of throwing the spring out and to allow the pulley to be turned backward when it is desired to unwind the cord or rope connected to it. As the frame in which these pulleys are supported can revolvefreely upon the hook, the patient can move and turn about in bed with perfect freedom, Without in any manner displacing the leg in the fracture box or apparatus, and can get out of the bed or chair for the purpose of sittingiup.

By means of an apparatus constructed as above the patient can get in and out of bed, Wait upon himself in many Ways, and Without the slightest danger of injuring the broken leg in any manner.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 7 1. The combination of the swiveled stand- ALBERT J. REMSBERG.

WVitnesses:

F. A, LEHMANN, J. ALF. HAYWARD. 

